[Microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of organisms isolated from diabetic foot ulcers in a Portuguese hospital].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of organisms isolated from diabetic foot ulcers in a Portuguese hospital.
METHODS: Microbiological data from ambulatory and hospitalized patients with diabetic foot infection during the year 2010 were retrospectively analysed. The profile of the isolated organisms was identified, regarding their prevalence both in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Multidrug-resistant organisms ( MDRO ) under surveillance program at the hospital and their antibiotic susceptibility tests were analysed.
RESULTS: Gram-positive aerobes were most frequently isolated ( 59.6 % ) from outpatient diabetic foot ulcers. Staphylococcus was the main genus identified ( 49.8 % ), of which 70.0 % were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Considering samples obtained from hospitalized patients, Gram-negative aerobes were dominant ( 63.3 % ), mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( 35.5 % ). Staphylococcus aureus represented 22.2 % of all isolates, with 60.0 % methicillin-resistance. Extended spectrum β-lactamase production and methicillin resistance was noted in 35.0 % and 38.0 % of all bacterial isolates, respectively. High levels of resistance were also documented for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii complex.
CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological differences seem to exist between the outpatient and inpatient settings concerning the microbiological profile of clinically infected diabetic foot ulcers. MDRO are prevalent in this study. Other studies are needed in order to adapt empirical therapy to the portuguese reality.